September October 2024 Snake Oil/Closer to the Heart

Closer to the Heart

 

One of my fondest memories of my early twenties was attending many different rock concerts. I saw amazing groups like Yes, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, The Fixx, and so many other notable bands. My friends and I would bring our concert paraphernalia and just hang out and listen to incredible live music with other fans. I have been blessed to have wonderful memories of many, many good times associated with music. One of my favorite bands was Rush. To this day, they still are making great music, although it has been about twenty eight years since I attended my last Rush concert. During every concert they always inevitably sang one of their most profound and touching songs called “Closer To The Heart.” It was always the same pattern in every concert. When the first few chords of the song began everyone would stand up and quietly light their lighters and raise them in the air. Each individual flame creating a sea of light. It might sound silly if you have never experienced something like this, but it was always a powerful event and an emotional wave that lit up the room in a really touching way. There were no arguments or disagreements about what this song meant. Everyone there was connected, each in their own way and feeling the same universal hope of “building a new reality that was closer to the heart.”

2016 is over and few of us would argue that it was an extremely difficult year. I actually personally had a fairly good year, but I helped a lot of people who experienced some really difficult tests that challenged them. The tragic news stories, losses of major celebrities, artists, and musicians were far too frequent. The terrorist activities here in America and abroad were brutal. There was a period in the early summer where there seemed to be weekly stories that were incomprehensible. One of my friends at my gym who is just a few years older than me wisely remarked that he felt bad for young people today because they were “sadly becoming used to this stuff.”  They would never know a time when tragedies and terrorist attacks weren’t a normal thing. The elections were relentlessly mud-sliding, fake news stories were everywhere, attacks on men and women of color, and the slaying of police officers were some of the darkest stuff I have ever seen so far in my lifetime. Not only were the candidates at times smearing each other, but the memes I saw on Face-Book from friends on either side were at times incredibly uncomfortable to look at. I never unfriended anyone, but I did have to temporarily mute a few people who were posting things that were quite ugly. It is one thing to disagree and express a point of view and another to viciously attack people who disagree. The election was fascinating to follow. It was unlike anything we have ever seen before. It was uncomfortable to watch and hard to turn completely away from at the same time.

I often heard during the year that a high percentage of Americans’ feel things are going in the “wrong direction.” There might be some truth in this belief. Stagnant wages, corrupt politicians, and the shrinking of the middle class are among a host of difficult areas that are hard to deny. Yet, we sometimes seem to overlook how far we have come in the last three decades when it comes to human rights. When I was a young man interracial dating was often extremely frowned upon. Mixed couples (it almost seems silly saying those words now) were frequently taunted, disowned, and treated horribly. Woman still had all kinds of nonsense to deal with; a list too long to list here. Racial, sexual, and religious bias were still at levels that young people today could not comprehend. Now more people can comfortably admit they are spiritual without being labeled “new age nut-jobs.” While Christianity in its many forms is still practiced by far by the largest percentage of Americans, other religious affiliations are able to be more comfortable expressing themselves, including Atheists and Agnostics without scorn. Gay and lesbian couples no longer have to hide in the closet. They legally marry, have children and live far more comfortably in comparison to even a decade ago. We recycle things, are becoming more aware of eating healthier, have amazing technological breakthroughs that make a lot of aspects of our lives far easier. Advances in western medicine and healthcare have moved forward. Prosthetics have given people mobility. Alternative medicine and healing have become actual options for people. Inequity still clearly exists. We are far from where we ideally should be, but we have taken great strides forward. To not acknowledge this notable progress is purposeful blindness.

With all of these amazing changes and forward movement over the years one has to wonder why are we currently experiencing such an obvious darker backlash in human rights? While all kinds of people have been able to come out of the closet and be themselves we also see a lot more negative people and troll-like commentaries as well. A rise in the Alt-Right movement (a modern name for white supremacist groups) and some equally extremist groups on the very far left as well, are sadly on the rise. The challenging of woman's rights again, arguments over the use of the “right bathroom” and name calling of epic proportions are hard to comprehend. I have seen people I call friends on Face-Book post some surprisingly ugly things. One side calling liberals things like “Libtards.” The other side calling anyone who disagrees “racists” and “hillbillies.” Comments on articles and posts are some of the meanest, ugliest things I have ever seen. Hate crimes toward Jewish people, Muslims, immigrants, and transgendered people are on the rise. We seem to be moving backwards and almost getting uglier in some respects. The beautiful  progressive hope of people coming together and moving closer to the heart truly seems to be a pipe dream.

I was very, very young in the early to mid seventies, but just old enough to remember the sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats. The country was very divided. The contrast of the hippie, peace, and love movement against an extremely conservative movement were often in an angry battle with who was “right.” It feels like a somewhat similar pattern to that time again. I suspect we will see very similar themes played out again. One of the most common of the seven fears, or Chief Negative Features in human beings is stubbornness or a fear of change. Its positive expression is determination. Its negative expression is obstinacy. A lot of people with stubbornness are yelling loudly at this time. Many people are getting meaner. Fear is increasing on both sides, the left and the right. It can be extremely difficult to maneuver comfortably during cycles like this. It has felt very uncomfortable energetically for most of 2016. It may not be easy to do, but seeing the larger picture can be of value. This discomfort may actually be part of the healing process. Sometimes forward movement in society may include a temporary dark move backwards before we take great strides forward again. The current volatile energy is actually a response to how far we have moved forward. The confusion and fear of a changing evolving society has scared many people and triggered some “fighting back.”

The movement away from a focus on the heart is noticeable in other ways. I see so many people in unhappy marriages, clinging to jobs that they don’t find rewarding, but “pay the bills.” Large numbers of people struggle with commitments to family that they don’t find fulfilling or truly rewarding. Many people use alcohol, antidepressants, and a wide assortment of drugs to help block the pain of a lack of joy in their lives. It is no surprise that we have an epidemic of drug addiction in many states. Potentially life destroying abuses of pharmaceutical drugs, heroin, and meth are ways of coping with lives that are unfulfilling and not heart centered. Self-destruction, another of the seven fears is actually a fear of a loss of control.

A few weeks ago a Middle Eastern deli/bakery was the target of vandalism here in Phoenix. Rocks were thrown though the store front windows and graffiti saying hateful things desecrated the building. This is a family run business that has been in the valley for over forty years. A beautiful coming together of people created a go-fund me page on Face-Book to help with the repairs. Quite a bit of money was raised. Now even more people are patronizing the deli than ever. People came together to do the right thing. People figuratively raised their “lighters” high in the air. They acted from a place that was closer to the heart. This is one of many current examples of good that can arise from ugliness. We will thankfully see even more of this in the coming years. Good things are peeking through, but it is likely to be a rocky road ahead. Maybe if more people stop identifying with only being a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, etc... and see themselves as all part of the human race we could change the focus. The truth is clinging to only a left or right position is myopic. The majority of us have areas where we are somewhat liberal and somewhat conservative. It also suggests a lack of self awareness to not recognize and honor that there are other people who may feel or believe differently than us. Moving forward to a heart centered place needs to be more than just a political issue. Yes, sometimes we need to stand up against oppression and to challenge what is ugly in this world. This is one significant way we contribute to changing the world for the better. Still, it is important to be decent and kind in our day to day lives, to become more heart centered, and release more of our bias. The most powerful element of societal transformation and growth are small every day positive, thoughtful deeds of ordinary people will contribute to building a new reality that is closer to the heart.
Jim Ventura 12-2016

link to the song Closer to the Heart:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quBCjo2rUZg

Notes

 

This painfully long summer seems to be finally coming to its end. The usual media adds for pumpkin spice everything that used to annoy me, are now stirring some potential joy as I look forward to the Autumn season ahead. It was not a pleasant summer by any means. We had a very warm June, July as well as most of August that had above average temperatures just about every day and night. I like to remind myself and my clients often that “As we are tested we fund the power to avert blockage and defeat. At the same time we develop in ourselves an aversion to the conduct that creates stress in our lives.” Quote from the book of Runes - Defense, Avertive Powers, Yew Tree. Another notable connected quote is “Our resistance to what is causes all of our suffering.” I was able to travel out of Phoenix a few times this summer, but my plan for next summer is that I will at least double that time away from the heat. A number of conditions have made it a more accessible dream, and it is time for a change. The irritation of excessive heat, and too many people here in the summers is helping to make my creative manifesting process even more willfully directed toward accomplishing this goal! I will create the financial means and other aspects needed to do so. I can still work away from my home fortunately because so many of my sessions now are by phone already. 

This column originally ran in late 2016, early 2017, I made very few to any edits. At a practical level this was good but the fact that I didn’t have to make changes and the negatives are so similar, is where it gets to be a bummer. Sadly this election season is almost identical to the one at the time this was written; not very pleasant. The difference of opinions and perspectives while sometimes horribly opposite of how I view things, to me are less important than remembering everyone has a right to believe what they choose. And unless those perspectives are accompanied by actions that cause danger to me personally or to society, who cares what other people believe anyway? Sadly an update to when this column originally ran is one of the members of the group Rush passed in 2020, but his impact will be around for a very long time.

I had an almost six week period in the summer where I did very little writing. Motivation was truly lacking. I didn’t fight this though and get caught in nonsense, self doubt or worry and fear thoughts. I was working through some minor health issues (guessing many people with similar issues would have thought they were major) but I always trust they are there because of blocked energy and whatever is surfacing will always inevitably resolve. I used the holistic paths that I have been working with for decades now and really have mastered, in both trusting those methods will work and knowing the body can repair itself in almost all situations. I prioritized diet adjustments, rest, trigger point therapy, herbal means, vitamins, yoga moves, and most importantly getting to the emotional, energetic, and limiting beliefs that were creating the illness in the first place. The idea (belief) that an illness just jumps out and gets you randomly is no longer a part of my reality. At this time the situation is about ninety percent healed!

I have been continuing to build and post on my new site at BuyMeaCoffee.com/Venturawora. There are lots of incredible freebies, navigational suggestions, metaphysical stories, and tips currently there and an added growing library of really amazing stuff for just for subscribers to the many added extra’s. One of these extra’s is that subscribers are able to have sessions at a very discounted rates (quarterly Regular Client rates) anytime they choose.

I also have been continuing to build my posts on my new Patreon site at Patreon.com/MyCastOfCharacters. Currently I have 40 stories for the upcoming book(s). The focus is a number of short memoir’s of childhood, and also my twenties thru fifties so far. Its often both insightful and humorous celebration of the many wonderful and sometimes bizarre friends I have met along the way. There are lots of freebies at the site and of course a growing library of really amazing extra stuff for subscribers who get to see stories that are not currently accessible anywhere else. Check either or both of the sites out.

If it has been awhile since you have had a personal session, remember that sessions can be in office or by phone, and as I have been told fairly often “incredibly helpful for navigating through whatever you are dealing with!” If you are currently on my newsletter mailing list, there is a $5-10 discount on all listed rates.
Happy start to the Fall season. Cheers, Jim V

“The beauty of fall is in its ability to make everything look like a fairy tale.” Unknown

Music is very spiritual, it has the power to bring people together.” Edgar Winter

New Client Special 2024


 

January 1st thru November 10th, 2024 Special:
$10-15 off listed rates for your first 45-minute session, 70, or 90-minute session! Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45, 70, and 90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. Even if you have seen me before If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session for a friend or family member you can also take advantage of these discounted rates!


“Fall: The weather just went from 90 to 55 like it saw a state trouper.” Unknown

 

Snake Oil Radio

 


Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be two live broadcasts this period)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, September 19th at 3:30 p.m. Mountain (Phoenix) time. This 45-minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to chat with other listeners in the chat room with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the website’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on iTunes and similar locations for podcasts.

To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura or on your phone. You may also access it by going to the site and typing “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments IF the show is offering that (please check, many of my column shows don’t).

 
“Empathy is really the opposite of spiritual meanness. It’s the capacity to understand that every war is both won and lost. And that someone else’s pain is as meaningful as your own.” Barbara Kingsolver

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channeler's in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.

Doctors and healing
From Spirit Speaks magazine 1992
“In your society you have for many years placed strong emphasis on going to the doctor. Many if not most of you were born with the aid of medical personnel. As a result your minds hold a very strong belief that you need doctors in order to be alive and that you need doctors to promote your wellness. This is a very strong thought in the consciousness of your society, especially in your Western world.
As a result, often you need to go through the motions of going to the doctor or to some medical personnel in order to stimulate the healing and release. It may not be that what they do has any positive effect on your physical organism, but your belief that they can do something to help you creates the climate for healing. This is the reason why so very often in medical studies there is significant improvement with placebo groups, because they believe something is being done for them that is stimulating health, and therefore the mind promotes health.

So, even though theoretically you could breathe out any illness, and certainly we encourage you to utilize breath and to utilize full oxygenation of the being, we suggest that you use wisdom to recognize the whole complex mental set that you come from in your culture and that you therefore do not resist visiting medical personnel to stimulate the process of healing. Prescription drugs, for example, are directed to curing the symptoms, but the homeopathic practice is based on the philosophy of bringing the illness to a healing crisis so that the body’s own healing mechanisms can come into play. It is geared toward getting the body to heal itself, not just suppressing the symptoms.

The holistic practices you hear so much about today are not new. What we have here are some very basic thoughts about experiencing doubt. If enough people believe that there is more than enough of everything for everyone to have more than enough, there will be enough in abundance that any opposition on the part of the AMA to holistic healing can be healed. There are many ways to achieve the same goal, and there is no right and wrong in the universe.

The difference between the holistic community and the AMA come strictly from an outgrowth of the strong right/wrong thoughts, from the belief that here has to be ONE right way. The more you open your minds to believing that there is an infinity of ways to accomplish the same goal, the more you will find this gap between the holistic community and the traditional medical community closing up.” Seth
Intuitive and Oracle reading classes 2024

In-Office or by Phone Classes!

 

While I no longer host group classes in my home, some of my most popular classes are still available! Currently classes can be in-office, by phone, or through Face-Time.
You can take one introductory class or continue with a monthly class for up to six months for any of the classes offered. Each instructional class is 90 minutes. You may schedule a one on one class in office or by phone for yourself, or have a friend or family member join you and split the costs.

Single one person class: $55.00 or 3 classes prepaid $150.
2 people option: $70 for each class ($35.00 each) 3 classes prepaid $180 ($90.00 each).

Email me for more information (more expansive info about each class series) and my availability calendar to book your personal intuitive and oracle development classes. my email is Venturasag@yahoo.com

Current options:

1. Tarot Card Reading
2. Astrology-101, and advanced classes
3. Michael teachings
4. Past life Journeys
5. Intuitive development
6. Creating Prosperity
7. Viking Rune Stones
8. Healing with color
9. Understanding Shamanism
10. Reinventing yourself
11. How to use Animal totems for empowerment.
12. Channeling and automatic writing
13. Numerology
14. Remote viewing, astral projection, and working with your dream state
15. Angels and Spirit Guide. 

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” Unknown

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (BEST method for contact).
text only: (602) 349-0746 Phone calls: (602) 957-3035

Information about the different sessions and types of readings, classes and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: http://JimVentura.com.

“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl


I have a few other media channels other than my monthly radio shows and Face-Book:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (approximately once a month 6-12 minute videos) at J Ventura Snake Oil. 

Instagram at Venturawords ( Astrology updates and other insight on short 90 second reels)
 Tik Tok (animalspeaks) where I do short but powerful 2-6 minute videos about how to use animal totems and spirit animals!

All personal sessions/readings for 2024 are: Full (70 minutes) $120.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $90.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $145.00 (Two people can split an extended session back to back for $150.00 total although no other discounts will apply). Mini phone session 20 minutes $40. Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. Purchasing 3 prepaid sessions also brings sizable discounts. Some examples; 3 prepaid 45 minute monthly sessions is $155 total or about $52 a session. 3 prepaid quarterly 70 minute session are $245 or about $82 a session.

July August 2024 Snake Oil/Coming Home to a Place I've Never Been Before

Snake Oil/Coming Home to a Place I've Never Been Before 

 

Music has always been a notable influence in my life. It can often act as a powerful trigger for awareness or to shift my emotional state. I was doing some editing work a few months ago with Pandora (Internet radio where you can program the types of music you specifically like) on in the background. Even though I had never programmed it to play any of his songs, Pandora decided to play a John Denver song I hadn’t heard in many, many years. The song was Rocky Mountain High. While listening to the song I found myself feeling very emotional. A long-forgotten memory surfaced and I remembered being in the sixth grade and inviting a school friend over to the house. We weren’t good friends but I thought I should make an effort to make more friends from my elementary school. He brought John Denver’s Greatest Hits with him and we sat in my room and listened to the album on my record player. John Denver was very popular in the late seventies, although some critics often panned his work and called him simplistic. Similar chart-topping artists like Abba, Air Supply, and the Carpenters were very popular but “cool” people pretended to hate it, while secretly most of us really loved a lot of it. What struck me as most profound was a line in the song Rocky Mountain High, where John sings about his decision to move to the Colorado Rockies at age 27:
 
“He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year coming home to a place he’d never been before. He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again. You might say he found the key for every door...”
 

 

Both as an avid reader in my youth and now as a writer, I have always been impressed by a writer’s ability to say so much in just a few words. This song is clearly an example of this type of talent. All of the most notable experiences in my life were connected to this idea of coming home to a place I’ve never been before.

When I made the decision to move from NY to Arizona at the age of twenty-three, I had never actually been to the state or to the west coast at all. There were symbols and messages that were pulling me to it though. When I flew out here for the first time in 1989 and stepped off the plane, I was excited about discovering the fun of what Arizona had to offer and I immediately felt comfortable here for some reason. A year later I made the move. I had some real difficulties with the friend I brought with me, but quickly made new friends that helped me through those difficult times. Even though I left a family and some extremely close friends behind who I knew I would truly miss, I formed a new supportive “family” rather quickly. I had been doing many past life regressions and dream work to explore my past lifetimes in my early twenties. Many of the people I met in Arizona were people I saw in those regressions and dreams. I had come home to a place I’d never been before.

 

After moving from apartment to apartment about every two years for the first twelve years of my life in Arizona, I decided to buy my first home in late 2003. I hired a realtor who was also a friend to help me. We spent three weekends looking at condominium homes. We would pick up our Starbucks and hop in her car to check out three to five places each Saturday. There were two homes that could have worked for me. While I seriously considered them, they didn’t feel completely right for mostly practical reasons. But when I first walked up the stairs of the upstairs condo I eventually bought, before I even went inside I turned to my realtor on the stairs and said: “I felt like I have walked up these stairs millions of times. This is where I will live.” Being a metaphysical person herself, she loved this. Even though there were some difficult hurdles to overcome in the buying process, I have now happily lived here for twelve years.


Nearly all of my close friendships and intimate relationships always felt like I was reuniting with people I already knew. The bodies, nationalities, sex, age, and other elements may have been different this time, yet the sense that I already knew them was always there from the beginning. Whether it was past life connections, a future self bringing me to this point, dreams, Deja Vu, compatible Astrology, or any other number of deeper reasons, the feelings of familiarity have generally been a constant. My early work with past-life studies often gave me insight before or after we met about our other connections. This has always added another important layer to my relationships. I once remember going to dinner with a close female friend when we were in our late twenties. We found ourselves spontaneously moving into a heated conversation at dinner that was a mild disagreement from two past selves who seemed to know each other in another time and place, centuries ago where we were husband and wife. Even the room itself seemed to change to another time and place. She had never experienced something like this before and it wasn’t exactly a common occurrence for me either. We laughed about it afterwards and later realized why it was a better fit for many different reasons that we meant to just be good friends in this life.
 

I have had people try to force friendships and relationships that didn’t seem to fit at times in my life. There was a number of times when I tried to do this as well in my younger days. I have experienced this before with jobs and other significant aspects of life, when it was usually other people suggesting “You should at least try, Jim” and the few times I tried it just never worked. There is a smoothness to events, pets, and people that feel like coming home to a place I’ve never been before. These experiences require no effort or struggle. When I heard Rocky Mountain High, I started to think about an extremely talented man whose music was called simplistic. Someone who wrote something as profound as this at age 27 was clearly talented and insightful. The critics were wrong. That same night I was flipping channels on television and came upon a PBS documentary about the life and death of John Denver. I caught it only ten minutes into the two-hour special. We often try to shape events, and there are times when we need to be assertive. Yet, the aspects of life that come so effortlessly to us are truly the most magical of all.
Jim Ventura 7-2015
 

Notes


 

This story/column was originally published back in 2015. I have been living in this condo for twenty-one years now! I am very happy for many reasons that I made the decision, as nervous as I was at the time, to buy and take on responsibility, and “settle down.” It has been a great home and I have no plans to move at all at this time, although I do plan on creating the ability to be able to travel a bit more next summer, and to work and write from much, much physically cooler locales. About 75 percent of my current clients are by phone currently, so I will still be able to have sessions and work while I am away. 

I have been getting some really amazing ideas and insight into manifesting more abundance and success in all areas of life. I am passing my insight on to my current Regular Clients, and anyone I have seen in the last three months. One of many reasons I suggest joining my Regular Client Program is precisely for this reason; I am always gaining new methods and insights and I really enjoy watching those around me also potentially bloom! More information about this program can be found in this newsletter. While I am always open to new Regular Clients, if you were previously one and have stopped having sessions you can request rejoining. I promise not to ask you to crawl through glass as punishment for lapsing or slipping away :)



I very much appreciate the clients of mine who are telling people about me and sending referrals. Whether directly or through passing along my posts from social media (YouTube, Insta, Tik Tok, and Facebook - info about all of these can be found at end of this newsletter). Some of you have been truly amazing. And while generally only a little less than half the people you recommend come see or call me, many will actually never do so. Know that your efforts do not go unnoticed and are appreciated. A good suggestion, especially for those already in my Regular Clients Program is to also just purchase a gift session for them. Any purchased gift sessions for others are at your already notably discounted rates! If you are not currently a Regular Client but have seen me before, or haven’t had a session, you can use the new client special I currently have at a $10-15 discount off my listed rates to purchase gift sessions. More information later in the newsletter.
 
June was mostly above average temps. The positive side to this is our monsoon season is showing up earlier than usual. Yeah for some rain! Wishing everyone a happy summer. Cheers, Jim V
 
One of my latest YouTube videos:


 

We tend to think of snakes as an animal connected to all things dark. References like “He is a snake” or “She is a snake in the grass” are common with obvious implications. And of course, many people fear snakes. But in Druid tradition, adders are seen in a more positive, even powerful light and connected to healing. Navigational Consultant Jim Ventura discusses how the energy of Snake can be used as animal spirit guide or totem in the new YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wuQOVzqHSo



“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.” Langston Hughes

“If you’re not barefoot, then you’re overdressed.” Unknown
 
New Client Special 2024 
January 1st thru October 31st., 2024 

$10-15 off listed rates for your first 45-minute session, 70-, or 90-minute session! 

 

Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-, 70-, and 90-minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session for a friend or family member you can also take advantage of these discounted rates!


Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channeler's in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.
 
Almost all the trance channeler's that I have read in one way or another have the same perspective on this always very controversial subject. Michael does explain it very well and succinctly though:
 
What about abortion? Wouldn’t that cause karma?
“For over ninety percent of fragments (Michael's term for an individual lifetime), the soul enters the body at first breath. A few baby souls (not having to do with physical age but a reference to an early cycle of lifetimes where the focus is on rigid concepts of right and wrong and establishing order) enter the body at the beginning of full-term labor, but you will all agree that is a trifle late for abortion. There is no karma in ending a pregnancy before that time. In fact, those who compel women to have children they do not choose to have are in more ‘danger’ of karmic consequences than are women choosing to abort a fetus for any reason whatsoever. To compel a woman to have a child the woman has not chosen is a significant interference with her life choices, which is, or course, the requirement for creating a karmic ribbon, not unlike the ribbon created by unjust imprisonment or forced enslavement. We would also wish to add that those who value females only for the children they produce are responding directly to the impact of culture on the chief negative feature (fear), which, as we have said before, promotes anything that destroys true intimacy, which is the source of all essence evolution. To relegate half of the species to being reproductive factories bars true intimacy from the start and leads to fear-laden taboos that define sexual roles and relationships in the narrowest possible manner. This leads to a greater reduction in intimacy.”
From Michael for the Millennium Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
 
“Let-go means no competition, no struggle, no fight...just relaxing with existence, wherever it leads. Not trying to control your future, not trying to control consequences, but allowing them to happen... not even thinking about them. Let-go is in the present; consequences are tomorrow, and let-go is such a delightful experience, a total relaxation, a deep synchronicity with existence, a total relaxation, a deep synchronicity with existence.” Rajneesh


Regular Client Program 

  

My Regular Clients enjoy working with the many different types of oracles I work with for enlightenment. But a good portion of them work with me in the form of an enlightened counselor and life coach. Discussing what you are going through or working on at each time is definitely healing but also allows added insight from my many years of navigational consultations and the wisdom of working with me, a very old soul!
 
One of the best programs I have been doing for 25 years now is my Regular Client Program. The program is designed to benefit my clients at multiple levels. Clients who enroll in the program come in every three months for personal sessions (monthly or every-other-month sessions are also an option). This can also be done for out-of-area clients by phone. Session prices are notably discounted for Regular Clients. The focus of the program is on consistent work in developing your intuitive abilities, learning how to navigate more effectively through life by using the signs and signals that are all around us, and conquering fear-based programming permanently. We also get to work with all of the many different oracles I currently work with! My Regular Client Program has resulted in some tremendous spiritual evolution for hundreds of people over the years. Some of my regulars have gone on to do spiritual counseling or similar types of work and some are healing and guiding others personally and professionally. The progress I have seen over the years among the majority of my Regular Clients has been phenomenal. It is wonderful to see the spiritual, physical, and emotional progress I have assisted in motivating. So many of my Regular Clients have dramatically changed the way they now view life and are enjoying a more enlightened point of view. You too can join this program as well, just ask.
 
More about the Regular Client Program... This program was designed to create an easy, cost-effective way for my clients to progress in their spiritual development. When we are consistent at attending to our body/mind/spirit, we naturally move through life with more harmony and greater joy. When our spiritual awareness is heightened and fine-tuned, we are often happier which helps us to enjoy all aspects of our lives, including occasional personal challenges because we see them as inevitably beneficial. We can truly assist the people around us. Human beings learn by example. Your intimate partnerships, friendships, family, and children benefit when you are in a good space. The Regular Client Program makes it easier to prioritize keeping your spiritual, emotional and even physical “garden” free of weeds. Email for more information and pricing.



“She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain.” Al Stewart - Year of the Cat



 

Snake Oil Radio
 Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be two live broadcasts this period)


 

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, July 25th at 3:30 p.m. Mountain (Phoenix) time. This 45-minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to chat with other listeners in the chat room with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the website’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on iTunes and similar locations for podcasts.
To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura or on your phone. You may also access it by going to the site and typing “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments IF the show is offering that (please check, many of my column shows don’t).
 



Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (BEST method for contact).
text only: (602) 349-0746 Phone calls: (602) 957-3035

Information about the different sessions and types of readings, classes and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: http://JimVentura.com.

“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl

I have a few other media channels other than my monthly radio shows and Face-Book:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (approximately once a month 6-12 minute videos) at J Ventura Snake Oil.
Instagram at Venturawords ( Astrology updates and other insight on short 90 second reels)
 Tik Tok (animalspeaks) where I do short but powerful 2-6 minute videos about how to use animal totems and spirit animals!

All personal sessions/readings for 2024 are: Full (70 minutes) $120.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $90.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $145.00 (Two people can split an extended session back to back for $150.00 total although no other discounts will apply). Mini phone session 20 minutes $40. Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. Purchasing 3 prepaid sessions also brings sizable discounts. Some examples; 3 prepaid 45 minute monthly sessions is $155 total or about $52 a session. 3 prepaid quarterly 70 minute session are $245 or about $82 a session.

Anyone who has been to my home office in the last 10 years or so has probably seen her or one of her five siblings on my stairs.

 

May June 2024 Snake Oil/Finding Your Life Purpose

 Snake Oil 

Finding your Life Purpose

 

Some people become aware at a fairly young age of the purpose of their lives. This is wonderful and often chosen at a higher Self level to get an early start. Most of us will have to inevitably figure it all out, and this can take some time with lots of trial and error along the way. When we are young, natural talents, skills, and abilities may be encouraged by parents or guardians that see the potential and help motivate us to achieve our goals. Still, the majority of us will experience little motivation and even at times disdain about our natural inclinations. This can be difficult to overcome. Often parents have their own vision of what is best for us. There may even be unfulfilled dreams of their own projected upon children. Another common and at times a spoken or unspoken blockade or hindrance is “this is what all of our family members are supposed to be or do.” A good number of people experience apathy from family about motivating us at all.

I was very aware of natural skills and things that excited me at a very young age. Many of the things I inevitably excelled at later in life had noticeable roots. I had a number of artistic skills, an interest in philosophy, strong leanings toward self help, astronomy that led to astrology, writing skills, and an urge to perform and even a strong interest in television and radio. I have always been someone people asked for advice about things they were struggling with. This led to doing counseling, coaching, and a career as a Navigational Consultant. While most of my skills were not encouraged by my parents, they didn’t try to stop me in any way either. Early on though we were encouraged to seek service fields and to persevere and work our way up the ladder. This was tempered with a suggestion that we don’t go too far up the ladder. This had roots in both of my parents being servers essences,* and also a common Catholic theme of not being too big in the world and to remember humility.

I had the many benefits of early studies with Numerology and Astrology, two arts that can be extremely helpful in directing one towards life purpose. I also had some notable skills that were frowned upon. A natural urge to make people laugh and to even shock an audience at times with my weird viewpoints did not always get favorable responses. I got a lot of flack from two of my sisters and a number of other people with frequent messages like “You shouldn’t say things like that,” “That is very inappropriate,” “Stop being such a wise ass.” In contrast I had some friends that loved my humor and were thrilled when I told a story. The polarizing themes were confusing and contributed to an early disposition with self deprecation and a fear of being judged.

When I turned twenty-five I had been working with oracles and studying for almost seven years but I had just moved to Phoenix and had not yet began to do readings professionally. I moved here with a young criminal, lost boy that I believed I was helping to start his life over to get on a better track. Instead of appreciation he stole from me, took over my identity, and even inevitably joined the army under my name to escape the law closing in on him. It was clear that I was paying a massive karmic debt, or just simply naive. In the middle of all of this waking nightmare, I needed to get away from him and went up to Sedona to clear my head. While I was there I had a reading from a Native American woman at a local shop and asked about my life purpose. She laid out some cards, explained a few things, than excitedly told me I was meant to be a storyteller. It made sense in many ways but my limited 25-year old mind thought “Well how is this going to pay the bills?”

Another significant memory I had about finding life purpose was when I was about fourteen. I had a vivid dream where I was in a large library and drawn to an area of books. I pulled one out that was written by Jim Ventura. Then I pulled out a few more and there were lots of them, all written by me! It took some time but inevitably I did write my first book in my mid-thirties and began writing a column at about age forty. Now as I approach sixty I am also writing a series of books that are humor and memoir based called My Cast of Characters. It took some time for me to allow myself to put these types of stories and writing into the world. This was in part about needing time to collect more stories and characters to write about, but also to confront and overcome my fear of judgement and allowing myself to use my humor talents without fear of backlash. Better yet, to not be concerned over possible backlash at all. People with a lack of understanding about the gifts of humor will always find a way to be upset.

There is a significant card in the Tarot, part of the Major Arcana, or larger life archetypes called the Sun (19). It represents accomplishing the life task and purpose, inevitably bringing light to not only ourselves but often others. In its reverse position it can be depression related to not finding your goal, or doing things that are out of alignment or unfulfilling. Everyone of us is here for a reason, often for many different reasons. The process of finding our life purpose is more of a process and not necessarily a category. It may change at some point as well. We may happily focus in one area for many years and later in life shift gears and do something somewhat or completely different.

We tend to think of life purpose in relation to what we do for career, work, and income. Yet for many people this can be secondary and far less important. We may precisely find something not overly challenging or even routine for work. This may free some people to become the most amazing parents, and raise emotionally and physically healthy children. Some people might even accomplish this later in life and become wise, loving, and very needed grandparents. There are people who prioritize taking care of animals with a deep desire to help dogs, cats, or other animals. There are people that are meant to become the type of person who bring people together, the peacemakers, the reliable ones, the shoulder for many. Life purpose may be about transforming a neighborhood, or motivating others around an important cause. It may be about studying health, wellness, or even beauty, but not necessarily as a career. The possibilities are vast. The point is to remind everyone that career and work are just some aspects in our lives.

As much as we don’t want to see it, there are also the disruptors. And while their numbers may be far smaller overall, they have purpose too. They may struggle with problems they could potentially overcome but may fall short and become angry, develop a belief in victimization, get caught in a focus of unrelenting fear, greed, and controlling or destructive behavior. In extreme cases there are addicts, narcissist, control freaks, and those that are exploring a lifetime of being unhappy and even cruel to others because they believe they have a right too.  And as much as we may wish these people didn’t exist, they serve a purpose. Their harshness may be difficult to bear if they are involved in any way in our lives. The saving grace is they may act as a catalyst to give purpose and strength by pushing people to overcome what was experienced and to hopefully become strong teachers who can speak from experience. Most cultures have names for these types of individuals; they are the cosmic clowns or those who teach by doing things backwards. Fortunately a good portion of these types also inevitably grow and see the light. The character in Dickens Ebenezer Scrooge would be an excellent example. Still, some may not make the enlightened shift during a lifetime and return in future lifetimes to correct the imbalances.

There are no wasted lifetimes. While some may be very challenging to deal with, the idea of a life being a mistake is a human judgment. Even if darkness is chosen there is inevitable learning, and eventually movement to wisdom, love and purpose. Everyone is here for a reason and often numerous ones. Whether you have already found your life purpose or are still seeking it, know that you have at least one. Rather than fear, dread, doubt, or struggle to find your life purpose, see it as an exciting process of discovery. The ultimate task for all of us is to find personal happiness and fulfillment, and to make the world a little, or maybe a lot better before we leave it. This is how we transform ourselves and quite possibly the world.

*There are seven types of essences servers generally make up about 20 percent of the worlds population. From the Michael teachings.
Jim Ventura 4-2024
 
 Notes

 

There has been quite a bit of interesting astrology triggers in the last few months, April 2024 was a peak. Most notably Uranus started moving direct again in Taurus. This can play itself out as disruption in financial matters both in the world at large, and in personal matters related to what makes us feel secure. The houses and planetary placements in ones unique natal chart are a key in seeing how it influences us more specifically. For me it took place in my 1st house and made a nice conjunction to my natal Jupiter. This was mostly beneficial. I do know a number of friends and clients with these aspects in relationship houses, all creating needed disruption or a more advanced perspective on what we need in order to feel secure and grounded with friends, family, and partnerships.

I have been getting some amazing “downloads” or insights from an apparently good place, wherever that may be. The 12th house in astrology contains some traps, but also potential messages from the collective and even higher centers, and I have quite a few transits moving through that house. I would label these as manifestation methods that really work! I posted one of these at my new still growing site at BuyMeaCoffee.com/Venturawora, for everyone to read if they choose (along with a lot of other great free stuff). I also recently added a more advanced, but somewhat easier formula for this manifestation exercise, along with some material and stories for people who subscribe to my site. It is only $60 a year ($5 a month) and has the added benefit of giving my subscribers quarterly regular client rates. There is also an added perk to be able to book personal sessions whenever you choose, at a notably discounted rate that works for you according to your schedule. Some of my regular clients get busy and lose track of staying on a consistent quarterly, every other month, or monthly plan and inevitably lose the benefits of the program including the discounted rates. This new option may make it a bit less structured but still available. Of course, I am currently sharing these new formulas for manifesting with current regular clients and even new or returning random clients that just have great timing!

My Patreon site is continuing to grow also: Patreon.com/MyCastofCharacters)
This is where I am posting ideas and stories from my new upcoming books, My Cast of Characters. The books are a collection of memoirs and stories about some of the many wonderful friends, family members, dates, childhood memories, and some not so pleasant characters as well. I just finished my 37th essay for the first book. A few are posted on the site for anyone to read. Like BuyMeaCoffee, you can also purchase a membership there to read a number of stories exclusively posted for members on the site. A added benefit will be an invited quarterly radio show where you can either listen later in archives or catch the show live and call in with questions, comments and to share any of your stories. I will focus on sharing new upcoming story ideas, how to get into writing and storytelling yourself. You will also be listed in the book when published as a contributor. Like my other site it is only $60 a year for all the extras. I have also moved a good portion of my Instagram reels to shorter versions of some of My Cast of Characters stories, and a bit of occasional fun, and at times shocking humor. My popular Tik-Tok will be staying all metaphysical!

If you haven’t booked a personal session in a while, it might be a good time for your check in. Both in-office, phone, and Zoom or Face-Time sessions are an option. Current subscribers to my every other month column here (free) Snake Oil get $5-10 off listed rates.
Wishing everyone a happy start to summer. Cheers, Jim V  

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” Oscar Wilde

New Client Special 2024
 January 1st thru October 31 st., 2024 Special:

$10-15 off listed rates for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45, 70, and 90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session for a friend or family member you can also take advantage of these discounted rates! 

“If summer had one defining scent, it’d definitely be the smell of barbecue.” Katie Lee

 
Snake Oil Radio

 

Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be two live broadcasts this period)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, May 23rd at 3:30 p.m. mountain (Phoenix) time. This 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to chat with other listeners in the chat room with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the website’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on iTunes and similar locations for podcasts.
To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  or on your phone. You may also access it by going to the site and type “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments IF the show is offering that (please check, many of my column shows don’t).

“Change is not a four letter word...but often your reaction to it is!” Jeffrey Gitomer

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.

Seth on creativity and play

 

“Most people, however, are so utterly serious that they suspect their own creativity. They expect that its products will be unreal or not valid in the physical world. Yet there is a great correlation between what you think of as creativity, altered states of consciousness, play, and ‘spiritual’ development.
When you create a poem or song or a painting you are in a state of play, of enjoyment, of freedom. You intend to make something different, to produce a new version of reality. You create out of love, for the sake of experience. At one time or another almost everyone has that kind of experience, but children have it often. They compose songs and music and paintings in their heads. They alter the focus of their consciousness frequently. They do not stop to ask whether or not the play is real or pertinent. Physically, play develops their body mechanisms. It also flexes the great capabilities of their minds. 

When you think: ‘Life is earnest,’ and decide to put away childish things, then often you lose sight of your own creativity and become so deadly serious that you cannot play, even mentally. Spiritual development becomes a goal that MUST be attained. The goal is to be achieved through hard work, and as long as you believe this you do not understand what the spirit is.

I keep returning to natural analogies-but plants do not work at developing their potential. They are not beautiful because they believe it is their responsibility to please your eye. They are beautiful because they love themselves and beauty. When you are so serious, you almost always distort the nature of your own spirit as far as your understanding of it is concerned. You cannot let your guard down long enough to discover what it is. You keep looking for new rules or regulations, or methods of discipline. You keep searching for a new ‘ascended master.’ or guru, to keep you in line and point out THE WAY...”
The Unknown Reality Volume Two Jane Roberts Channeling Seth.

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Confucius

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (BEST method for contact).
text only: (602) 349-0746 Phone calls: (602) 957-3035

Information about the different sessions and types of readings, classes and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: http://JimVentura.com.

“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl

I have a few other media channels other than my monthly radio shows and Face-Book:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (approximately once a month 6-12 minute videos) at J Ventura Snake Oil.
Instagram at Venturawords (Astrology updates and brief humor talks from upcoming essays from my upcoming book on short 90 second reels)
 Tik Tok (animalspeaks) where I do short but powerful 2-7 minute videos about how to use animal totems and spirit animals, and many other metaphysical subjects!

All personal sessions/readings for 2024 are: Full (70 minutes) $120.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $90.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $145.00 (Two people can split an extended session back to back for $150.00 total although no other discounts will apply). Mini phone session 20 minutes $40. Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. Purchasing 3 prepaid sessions also brings sizable discounts. Some examples; 

3 prepaid 45 minute monthly sessions is $155 total or about $52 a session. 3 prepaid quarterly 70 minute session are $245 or about $82 a session.